The City of Woodland Park has posted its December plans, and most of them ask residents to take part rather than just show up. Children can mail letters to Santa from City Hall, anyone can make an ornament for the City Hall tree, Memorial Park hosts the official tree lighting on Dec. 4, and tickets for a Wild West New Year's Eve party at the Ute Pass Cultural Center go on sale Sunday, Nov. 15.

New Year's Eve tickets go on sale Sunday

The city's Ute Pass Cultural Center is throwing a New Year's Eve party under the name Midnight on Main Street, with a Wild West theme. Tickets go on sale Sunday, Nov. 15. Early bird prices run through Nov. 30: $40 for a single ticket and $70 for a couple. Standard pricing starts Dec. 1. The city says more details on the evening are coming as the date gets closer.

Santa's mailbox at City Hall

Woodland Park City Hall, 220 W. South Ave., is again one of the official drop-off points for Santa Letters of Teller County. A Santa mailbox sits in the City Hall lobby and takes letters during regular business hours through the first week of December. Letter templates are in the lobby for anyone who wants help getting started.

Children who live inside Woodland Park's city limits and get their letters in by Tuesday, Dec. 1, have them delivered by what the city calls Santa's Elves in Blue. This year, according to the city, Santa would like to hear about each child's favorite holiday traditions. Letters should include the child's name, address and age. Families who would rather mail from home can send letters to Santa Claus, PO Box 7042, Woodland Park, CO 80863.

An ornament for the City Hall tree

The city is also asking residents of any age to make ornaments for the official City Hall holiday tree. Ornament packets with guidelines and templates are available at the City Hall front desk on weekdays, or can be printed from the city's website. Each person can turn in up to three finished ornaments by Wednesday, Dec. 2. The finished tree will stand in the City Council Chambers through December and January, where residents can stop by to see it.

Winter Day in the Park, Friday, Dec. 4

Woodland Park Parks and Recreation is holding Winter Day in the Park on Friday, Dec. 4, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at Memorial Park, with the official city tree lighting as the centerpiece. The activity list the department has announced includes:

  • A petting zoo
  • Pony rides
  • A mechanical reindeer
  • A trackless train
  • An ornament-making station
  • Cookie decorating
  • Warm drinks and treats

Local businesses and organizations help pay for the event, and the department is still taking sponsors at 719-687-5225.

Looking ahead to 2027: the Citizens Academy

Applications are also open for the city's 2027 Citizens Academy, a free program that takes residents behind the scenes of city government: where Woodland Park's water comes from, who maintains the streets, and how decisions get made. Participants meet city leaders, tour city facilities and see departments at work.

The academy is open to area residents of high school age and older, with priority given to people living inside the city limits. Spots are limited, and applications close Monday, Dec. 14. The program has stayed free with support from local sponsors, and the city is looking for 2027 sponsors as well.

How to reach City Hall

Woodland Park sits on US 24 in Teller County, west of Colorado Springs. City Hall is at 220 W. South Ave. and is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The main line is 719-687-9246, and the full list of city announcements, including the academy schedule and ornament templates, is on the city's News Flash page at woodlandpark.gov.

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